Brevard Symphony Orchestra to Make History with First Ever Symphonic Performance Beneath the Space Shuttle Atlantis

In partnership with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Inc., the Brevard Symphony Orchestra will make history by presenting the first-ever symphonic concert under a space shuttle. BSO Music Director and Principal Conductor Christopher Confessore has officially announced Symphonic Odyssey, a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience beneath Space Shuttle Atlantis. This epic performance will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 8 pm, at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

"A visit to the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction is truly awe-inspiring. It will be a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform a concert of "out of this world" space-inspired music beneath Atlantis," stated Confessore. "I can't wait to hear the iconic Star Wars Theme reverberate throughout the building as the sound of the orchestra reflects off the base of Atlantis. As the orchestra of the Space Coast for six decades – this event is a perfect way to celebrate the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's 60th Anniversary Season!"

This history-making event, nearly two years in the making, will feature music from films such as Star Wars, Star Trek and include the monumental "Sunrise" fanfare from "Thus Spake Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss featured in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Highlighting the evening will be a special performance of music from the 80's hit film, The Last Starfighter, composed specifically for this concert by award-winning composer Craig Safan.

Winston Scott, Dean of the College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology and former astronaut, will make a special guest appearance and share his experiences of being a shuttle astronaut. Scott will also discuss the important role that music has played in his life.

Ticket Information

General Admission Tickets = $150

V.I.P. Admission Tickets = $250

V.I.P. admission tickets will include dinner prior to the performance at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, reserved concert seating and two beverage redemptions during the performance.

All guests will receive a special commemorative gift pack and will include entrance into Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Cash-bar will be available during the performance. Doors will open at 7:00pm on the day of the performance.

Pre-sale tickets will be available to purchase for current subscribers of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra's 2013-2014 Season, beginning on Monday, February 10, 2014, at 10 am by calling (321) 242-2024.

Tickets will be available for purchase to the general public on Thursday, February 13, 2014, beginning at 10:00am online at brevardsymphony.com or by calling the BSO office at (321) 242-2024.

Space Shuttle Atlantis, the largest and most comprehensive attraction in the world devoted to the U.S. Space Shuttle Program, will resonate with the inspiring sounds of "Symphonic Odyssey" performed by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra (BSO) on March 22 at 8 p.m.

In a first-of-its-kind concert, the BSO will celebrate its 60th season with an evening of space-related and -inspired music performed beneath the historic orbiter in the $100 million, 90,000-square-foot Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, which opened in 2013.

"We are proud to welcome the Brevard Symphony Orchestra to Space Shuttle Atlantis for this truly unique concert experience," said Therrin Protze, Visitor Complex chief operating officer. "This will be the first time that such iconic music will be heard in this setting. We expect that the sound of the orchestra will reflect off the large surface of Space Shuttle Atlantis, creating an added acoustical sensation."

The concert will feature Christopher Confessore, BSO musical director and principal conductor, conducting 60 professional musicians performing such music as Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" fanfare and Johann Strauss, Jr.'s "The Blue Danube Waltz," both of which are familiar to fans of the film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Other selections include "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" compositions by John Williams. A concert highlight will be a special performance of "The Last Starfighter Overture," created recently by composer Craig Safan specifically for the "Symphonic Odyssey" concert.

Winston Scott, former astronaut and dean of the College of Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology, will make a special guest appearance during the concert to speak with the audience and share his experiences as a shuttle astronaut and his connections with music.

The concert is a fundraiser benefiting the BSO. General admission tickets are $150 per person and VIP admission is $250 per person. Those purchasing VIP admission tickets will receive dinner prior to the performance and reserved concert seating. VIP dinner seating begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility at the Visitor Complex. All guests at this history-making concert will receive a commemorative gift package as well as admission into Space Shuttle Atlantis. A cash bar will be available during the concert and doors will open at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit brevardsymphony.com or call the BSO office at 321-242-2024.

For the first time ever, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra (BSO) performed symphonic masterpieces under Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. "The Symphonic Odyssey" featured numerous space-related and -inspired arrangements.

The vibrato of the music resonated throughout the home of the new Space Shuttle Atlantis, causing a hushed silence in the crowd during each number. Christopher Confessore, BSO music director and principal conductor, led 60 musicians as they played compositions such as Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and Johann Strauss, Jr.'s "The Blue Danube Waltz," both of which are featured in the film "2001: Space Odyssey."

Former astronaut Winston Scott appeared at the concert to share his experiences as a space shuttle astronaut and longtime musician. He played trumpet with the orchestra during Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and gave an inspirational speech congratulating the BSO on 60 years of bringing music to the hearts of Brevardians.

"The stars aligned for Brevard County when 60 years ago, someone decided to start the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. When stars align, not only are we touched as individuals or as communities, but the influence they have lasts longer than any one of us," said Scott.

The concert was a fundraiser benefitting the BSO.

MarylandSpaceMember

Posts: 1031From: Registered: Aug 2002

posted 03-23-2014 07:22 PM
Must have been an awesome concert. Did any collectSPACE members attend?

KSCartistMember

Posts: 2591From: Titusville, FL USARegistered: Feb 2005

posted 03-23-2014 10:46 PM
I have enjoyed incredible good fortune designing crew patches for NASA. I never know when something will inspire me.

When I learned that the Brevard Symphony Orchestra would kick off its 60th season with a concert under the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this design came very easily. Musical notes drifting into space.

My buddy Nathan Moeller had created an Atlantis exhibit patch which fit my idea perfectly. So I asked Nate to collaborate with me.

We submitted this design to both the BSO and the KSCVC in the hopes it would be adopted. While they were generous in their praise of the art, they declined to have "a patch."